Patents Issued in April 1, 2014
  • Patent number: 8684194
    Abstract: A wine rack for mounting on a wall or other surface, the wine rack including at least a first and second pair of support members. In one embodiment, the first pair of support members may support at least a first and a second wine bottle in a substantially parallel relation to the wall, wherein the second bottle is positionable proximate the wall, and wherein the label of the first wine bottle is visible to a person standing in front of the wine rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Wine Master Cellars LLLP
    Inventor: Doug McCain
  • Patent number: 8684195
    Abstract: A wall mounted storage system has a track, a plurality of vertical panels, a plurality of plugs and a plurality of shelves. The track is mounted to a wall for supporting the vertical panels. The shelves and panels form compartments. Each vertical panel has a cut out which matches the configuration of the track. The cut out has a front radiused section and a rear flat section. The track has a corresponding front radiused edge and rear seat. The cut out mates with the track at the radiused and flat sections. An opening is provided between the bottom of the track and the bottom of the cut out. The plug fits within this opening to prevent the vertical panel from separating from the track after the panel is attached to the track. The front bottom edges of the vertical panels are protected by bottom protectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventor: Vincenzo Caruso
  • Patent number: 8684196
    Abstract: A peg board hook, for insertion into a peg board, the peg board hook includes two tangs, each tang configured complementary, such that tangs from adjacent peg board hooks can be inserted into the same hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventors: Burton Kozak, Ira Kozak
  • Patent number: 8684197
    Abstract: A lift crane includes a carbody; ground engaging members elevating the carbody off the ground; a rotating bed rotatably connected to the carbody; a boom pivotally mounted at a first end to the rotating bed with a load hoist line extending adjacent a second end of the boom; a boom hoist mechanism that can be used to change the angle of the boom relative to the rotating bed during crane operation; and a boom raising assist structure connected to the boom. The boom raising assist structure preferably includes at least one ground engaging member in contact with the ground; and a boom elevating member extending between the assist structure ground engaging member and the boom. The boom elevating member supports at least a part of the weight of the boom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Manitowoc Crane Companies, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Pech, Joseph R. Rucinski
  • Patent number: 8684198
    Abstract: A working machine includes a base machine and a working attachment. The working attachment has a base-end boom, a lead-end boom, and an arm. The working machine is collapsible into a triple-folded state, with the base-end boom being located on the upper side and the arm being located on the lower side with respect to the lead-end boom, as a posture of the working machine for transport. The working machine further includes a lead-end boom cylinder for moving the lead-end boom, and an arm cylinder for moving the arm. The lead-end boom has a first lead-end boom cylinder attachment portion for mounting the lead-end boom cylinder, and a first arm cylinder attachment portion for mounting the arm cylinder. The first lead-end boom cylinder attachment portion is disposed at a position different from the first arm cylinder attachment portion in a widthwise direction of the working attachment, and lower than the first arm cylinder attachment portion in the transport posture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuya Irieda, Takanori Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 8684199
    Abstract: A coupler yoke and a coupler draft gear are used in the field of carriages of a railway and aim at solving the problems of lower strength, low safety and reliability and the like in the prior art. The coupler yoke comprises a hollow yoke body with the cross section being in a long concentric-square shape, the inner side surface of the one end of the hollow yoke body is a bearing surface, and at least part of the heavy loading area of the bearing surface protrudes outwards relatively to the end surface of the light loading area. The coupler yoke is used for connecting couplers between the carriages of a train, so that the carriages are connected to form the train for transmitting the tractive force in the transportation; the distribution pattern of the existing bearing surface is changed due to the arrangement of a middle groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Qiqihar Railway Rolling Stock Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yan Jiang, Yingjun Cui, Shengguo Cong, Qingmin Meng
  • Patent number: 8684200
    Abstract: A bottle assembly is presented including a body portion having a dividing wall extending therein; a first chamber for holding a first liquid, the first chamber configured to connect to a first orifice; a second chamber for holding a second liquid, the second chamber configured to connect to a second orifice; and a weight distribution mechanism configured to be placed entirely within the body portion of the bottle assembly for counterbalancing the first liquid against the second liquid, the weight distribution mechanism having a plurality of spheres therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventor: Theodosios Kountotsis
  • Patent number: 8684201
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a drinking apparatus including a vent system that removably connects to a drinking container. The vent system is used to create a variety of leak resistant drinking containers, such as toddler drinking cups, baby bottles, and other drinking containers. The vent system includes a substantially rigid disc portion and base portion, the base portion including base air vent channels merging into an integral one-way valve. The vent system provides passage for air from the exterior of the bottle to the interior of the bottle, but it does not allow liquid to exit the bottle via the vent system. An optional anti-bubble tube may be used with the vent system to provide for air entering the inverted container to reach an air pocket formed in the bottom portion of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Coralinda Trading Corporation
    Inventors: Amikam Berkovitch, Tamir Tirosh
  • Patent number: 8684202
    Abstract: A bottle of one-piece construction includes a body having a shoulder, a neck finish and a neck extending from the shoulder to the neck finish. The shoulder and neck finish each have circular cross sections around respective axes, which preferably are coincident with a central axis of the bottle. A major portion of the neck has an oval cross section around a third axis, which preferably is coincident with the central axis, smoothly blending into the circular cross sections of the shoulder and neck finish. The oval cross section preferably is generally elliptical, having outwardly convex end portions and outwardly convex side portions extending between the end portions. The neck preferably has a substantially uniform wall thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventor: Karl A. Reisig
  • Patent number: 8684203
    Abstract: A screw closure (10) has a screw cap (1) and a tamperproof band (5). The screw cap (1) has a head plate (2) with a cylindrical lateral cap surface (3,provided with an internal thread (4) and wherein the tamperproof band (5) has a flexible band (6) and is connected to the lower periphery of the lateral cap surface (3) via one or more easy-tear elements (7). In order to create a screw closure which has a flexible band and, even with relatively large tolerance deviations between the closure and container neck, still ensures that the tamperproof band can be reliably torn off is thus providing enhanced functional reliability. The flexible band (6) is a continuously encircling flexible band which, distributed over its circumference, has portions (8) which can be extended easily and, therebetween, portions (9) which are less easy to extend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Bericap GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Günter Krautkrämer
  • Patent number: 8684204
    Abstract: The invention relates to a locking cover (1), made of a molded plastic material, for a vessel having a neck, intended for locking a plug (4) in the neck (3) of the vessel (2), including a wire-cap (6) which surrounds the plug and the neck, a ring (7) which is attached around the wire-cap (6) and shaped so as to have a central opening (17) providing access from the outside of the cover (1) to the inside of the vessel via the plug, and a cap (23) attached to the ring and shaped so as to close said opening (17). The cap (23) comprises attachment tabs (25) which are spaced apart from each other along the annular periphery of the opening (17) of the ring (7) and which are clamped between the ring (7) and the wire-cap (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: A. Raymond et Cie
    Inventor: Guillaume Belle
  • Patent number: 8684205
    Abstract: A device that assists with equalizing air pressure within a bottle with the atmospheric air pressure as liquid is being poured from the bottle and includes one or more relatively short air tubes. The air tubes are situated with an upper inlet rim of the air tubes located flush with or relatively near the bottle rim. Whether an insert or integrated into the manufacture of a container, the one or more air tubes that extend partially into the container allow air to pass into the container as the liquid exits the container. The pressure equalizer not only minimizes or prevents the common glugging effect, but it allows liquid from a bottle to be poured smoothly at any angle and orientation. A cap incorporating a detachable pressure equalizer is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Paha Designs, LLC
    Inventor: Benjamin Meager
  • Patent number: 8684206
    Abstract: A rubber plug for a vial container includes a leg portion press molded independently, and having a base end side portion, and a plate-shape cap portion bonded to the base end side portion press-molded with the leg portion. The leg portion and the plate-shape cap portion have bonding areas formed as concentric concavo-convex areas. The base end side portion of the leg portion including the area bonded with the plate-shape cap portion is formed of a material same as that of the plate-shape cap portion. A remaining portion of the leg portion except for the base end side is formed by a material different from the plate-shape cap portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Daikyo Seiko Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasushi Kawachi
  • Patent number: 8684207
    Abstract: A stopper head (1) to be secured to a stopper body (2) to form a stopper for a container, includes a base (3) on which a lug (4) is positioned such that it protrudes, the lug (4) being designed to cooperate with the body during the assembly of the body and the lug (4), the lug (4) including at least one recess (5) opening laterally, at both of its ends, such that the lug (4) is crossed through to anchor the body with the head (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Les Bouchages DELAGE
    Inventor: Olivier Deslias
  • Patent number: 8684208
    Abstract: A container that is re-useable and may be disassembled for cleaning and reassembled and resealed for use as a beverage or foodstuffs container. The container assembly for storing foodstuffs or liquids includes an annular upper body with a first end adapted to receive a cap, and a second open end which connects with an annular lower body including a first open attachment end and a second closed bottom of container end and a seal which is compressed when securing the upper and lower bodies together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventor: Chris Hotell
  • Patent number: 8684209
    Abstract: A foldable and overlappable carrier box includes a base panel, a pair of first side panels erected along any two facing edges of the base panel, and a pair of second side panels erected along remaining facing edges of the base panel. Each of the first side panels is divided into an upper face and a lower face along a horizontal line, the upper face being foldable downwards, and each of the second side panels is divided into an upper portion and a lower portion along a horizontal line, so that when carrier boxes are stacked in multiple layers by folding the upper face, a lower portion of a carrier box located at an upper position is overlappable with an upper portion of a carrier box located at a lower position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: National Plastic Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Byung Min Choi
  • Patent number: 8684210
    Abstract: A water cooler display apparatus for positioning, storing and/or displaying items thereon is disclosed. The apparatus is positioned on and around a water cooler bottle on a water dispensing device thereby enabling use of typically unusable space around the water dispensing device. The apparatus includes a first housing member, a positioning member adjacent to and/or on an interior surface of the first housing member for positioning the apparatus on and around the water cooler bottle, and one or more securing members which hold or secure any suitable number of items on the apparatus. The apparatus may also include a second housing member on the first housing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: CEMCO, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles W. Richter
  • Patent number: 8684211
    Abstract: A can end is provided, which includes a recessed panel defined by an upwardly extending chuck wall. The panel has a product side and a public side disposed opposite the product side. A peripheral scoreline is disposed in the public side of the panel proximate to the base of the chuck wall. A tab is fastened to the panel by a rivet. The tab is operable to sever the peripheral scoreline and open the can end. An pressure resistance bead extends around the panel inboard of the peripheral scoreline and outboard of the rivet. A saw tooth panel formation disposed proximate to the pressure resistance bead inboard of the pressure resistance bead. Among other benefits, the pressure resistance bead and saw tooth panel formation combine to resist wrinkling or other undesired deformation of the can end. Tooling and a method of making the can end are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventor: Dennis C. Stammen
  • Patent number: 8684212
    Abstract: A tamper-evident container having a tamper-evident structure that indicates to a user when the container has been previously opened or otherwise tampered with. The container can include a body and a lid, where the lid is snap fit into a recess of the body. Based on the snap-fit, the lid is difficult or impossible to remove from the body without activating the tamper-evident structure. The tamper-evident structure can remain at least partially attached to the lid or body to thereby indicate to a user that the container has been opened or otherwise tampered with.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventors: Joseph Stone, Gregory Jimenez, Richard M. Collins
  • Patent number: 8684213
    Abstract: A container assembly that includes a container having a container top and a container floor, a lid affixed to said container top by a hinge, the lid being adapted to move between an open position and a closed position, an internal fastener being (1) attached to the inside of the container, (2) not accessible from the outside of the container when the lid is in its closed position, and (3) adapted to maintain the lid in its closed or locked position, an access hole in the container floor, a lever positioned within the container and above the access hole, and a tool adapted to be inserted into the access hole to activate the lever to release the internal fastening mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventor: Andrew White
  • Patent number: 8684214
    Abstract: Provided is a degassing container for a refrigerator in which a portion of air within a storage space is forcedly discharged to allow the storage space to become a low pressure state. The degassing container includes a case, a door, a gasket, a pressing part, and a degassing adjustment part. The case has an opened side. The door selectively shields the opened side of the case. The gasket is interposed between the door and the case and elastically deformed and closely attached when the door is shielded. The pressing part is provided in the door and the case and selectively closely attaches the door by a rotation operation. The degassing adjustment part selectively enters and exits air within the case by operating the pressing part. Therefore, the refrigerator has improved storage performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seok-Min Lim, Jong-Min Shin, Bong-Jun Choi, Su-Won Lee, Ill-Shin Kim, Jeong-Yon Kim
  • Patent number: 8684215
    Abstract: The pressure control valve comprises a negative pressure valve and a positive pressure valve. The negative pressure valve comprises a negative pressure valve body, a valve retaining member and an engagement mechanism. The engagement mechanism comprises a support concave portion formed on the negative pressure valve body and a support protrusion formed on the valve retaining member and inserted into the support concave portion, which is formed to reduce the elastic deformation transferred to a second seating portion, when a first seating portion is pressed by a first seal portion to undergo elastic deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Sato
  • Patent number: 8684216
    Abstract: An object is to provide a closing member for an opening, the closing member capable of more reliably maintaining a lightning-protective function. In addition to a first insulator 63, a second insulator 65 is provided between a door body 30 and a wing inner surface 11b around an opening 12. When the first insulator 63 falls off, the second insulator 65 becomes interposed between an inner peripheral planar part 64 and the wing inner surface 11b. With the first insulator 63 being tightly interposed between an outer peripheral planar part 62 and the wing inner surface 11b, the second insulator 65 faces the wing inner surface 11b with a predetermined clearance C therebetween. The outer peripheral planar part 62 is formed at a position further away from the wing inner surface 11b than an apical surface 65a of the second insulator 65 mounted on the inner peripheral planar part 64.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuki Tachibana
  • Patent number: 8684217
    Abstract: A rigid or semi-rigid tray is provided, including a bottom and at least one side wall which forms at least one recessed product-receiving compartment, and a flange extending around the tray which forms distal edges of the container. The tray further includes a lidding film affixed to the flange which forms a peelable heat-seal extending around the product-receiving compartment and the distal edges of the container, and an easy-open member positioned between the product-receiving compartment and the distal edges of the container. The easy-open member has a frangible portion of the lidding film which forms a tab member when punctured, for example by the force of a human finger, to provide a means for removing the lidding film from the flange and gaining access to the product-receiving compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Curwood, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Brian Bruehl, Scott Gregory Pockat, Aaron John Wallander
  • Patent number: 8684218
    Abstract: Vessel including a unitary or two-part vessel base having an intermediate wall portion, upper and lower wall portions on opposite sides of the intermediate wall portion, and upper and lower seal rims adjacent the respective upper and lower wall portions. The upper and intermediate wall portions define an upper chamber space including at least one upper chamber. The lower and intermediate wall portions define a lower chamber space including at least one lower chamber. The seal rims include edges configured to provide suction when pressed against a flat surface, preferably when these rims are wet. Lids engage with upper and lower lid-receiving portions, respectively, defined by the vessel base to selectively close the upper or lower chamber space. The two-part vessel base has a mating structure to facilitate selective attachment and separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventor: David M Stravitz
  • Patent number: 8684219
    Abstract: A tank for holding liquid having internal partitions. The partitions have enlarged bottom ends fillable with liquid and restable on the bottom wall of the tank to limit sideways movement of the partitions. The partitions are mounted to the tank only above the liquid within the tank by a channel that loosely receives the top ends of the partition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Advantage Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald A. Wolfe, Andrew J. Sander
  • Patent number: 8684220
    Abstract: A concrete storage tank structure comprises a tank including a floor slab having a periphery and a wall having inner and outer faces extending upwardly from the floor slab at a position adjacent the periphery of the latter. The tank structure further includes a shear pad extending outwardly away from the tank from a position adjacent a lower portion of the outer face of the wall. The shear pad and the tank are positioned relative to one another in such a way that a space is provided therebetween and a number of elongated flexible connecting elements are arranged so as to extend through the space in interconnecting relationship relative to the shear pad and the tank. A strip of resilient neoprene elastomeric material is disposed in the space. The shear pad is thus flexibly attached to the tank in such a way that the forces imposed on the wall of the tank by the shear pad during movement of the tank during use are minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: The Crom Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth Ryan Harvey
  • Patent number: 8684221
    Abstract: A pastry tray includes a body having an outer region and an inner region. The inner region includes at least one aperture extending therethrough. The pastry tray also typically includes at least one leg extending at least partially vertically downward from the body. When the pastry tray is arranged on a container containing a heated liquid, heat and steam from the heated liquid pass through the at least one aperture. When a pastry is arranged on the pastry tray, the heat and steam act to warm, and in some cases soften, the pastry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventor: Keith Edward Wallace
  • Patent number: 8684222
    Abstract: A tray, in particular for catering purposes onboard aircrafts, including a tray body defining a receiving surface for receiving thereon items to be carried by use of the tray. The tray body includes an interlocking device for releasably engaging an interlocking device of the tray body of a similar tray, when at least two trays are positioned such that the receiving surfaces of the tray bodies are overlapping each other partially. The interlocking device of the trays interacting such that when one of the trays is drawn in a drawing direction, the other tray is moved along in the drawing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: deSter Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Ton Tesink, Ruud Vanderheyden
  • Patent number: 8684223
    Abstract: A drinking glass has flutes inward from inside walls of an inner sleeve. Outer walls are curved. The flutes and curved outer walls form lenticular surfaces that distort images. The flutes provide precise alignment for multicolor printing on the outer wall of the inner sleeve. An outer sleeve is sealed to a top of the inner sleeve. A space between the sleeve is filled with fluid, sheets and objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventor: Michael P. Kalamaras
  • Patent number: 8684224
    Abstract: A cylindrical tubular canister package has a body and ends. A tear-away strip is formed in the body by a pair of spaced partial cuts on the outside of the body. A thin strip of tear tape is secured to the inside of the body underlying and extending along the tear-away strip. A tab is formed at one end of the tear away strip. The canister package is opened by grasping the tab and pulling away from the canister body, which causes the tear-away strip to be severed from the body to open up the canister. The strip may extend axially, circumferentially, spirally, or otherwise along the canister body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard F. House
  • Patent number: 8684225
    Abstract: The invention relates to a locking cap (1) made of a molded plastic material for a vessel (2) having a neck, intended for blocking a stopper (4) in said neck (3), including a wire-cap (6) adapted for surrounding the stopper (4) and the neck in the mounted configuration of the cap (1). The wire-cap includes first and second flexible tabs capable of being respectively blocked on the neck and on the stopper (4), said first tabs (8) being offset relative to said second tabs (9) in an axial direction relative to said neck (3). The cap (1) also includes a ring (7) surrounding the wire-cap (6) for preventing access to said tabs from outside the ring (7). The ring (7) and the wire-cap (6) are designed so as to be fitted and locked together. The tabs (8, 9) of the wire-cap are respectively arranged at an angle in first and second openings (13, 14) which are formed by the mesh of the wire-cap (6), and in which the tabs (8, 9) can disappear when mounting the cap (1) on the neck (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: A. Raymond et Cie
    Inventors: Stéphane Gelibert, Guillaume Belle
  • Patent number: 8684226
    Abstract: A glove dispensing assembly includes a stack of interfolded gloves. In particular, the gloves are folded in an S-like arrangement including a first fold and a second fold. The finger portion of a leading glove is folded in between a cuff portion and an intermediate portion of a subsequent glove. The manner in which the gloves are folded allows for the gloves to be dispensed in a perpendicular direction or a lateral direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Khoa T. Lien
  • Patent number: 8684227
    Abstract: A merchandise display hook for displaying items of merchandise includes a support rod and a helix disposed about the support rod and extending along at least a lengthwise portion of the support rod. The support rod includes mounting structure for mounting the display hook to a display fixture and has a first end adjacent the mounting structure and a second end opposite the first end adjacent the helix for loading the items of merchandise onto the support rod and for dispensing the items of merchandise from the support rod. The merchandise display hook further includes a time delay mechanism attached to the helix adjacent the second end of the support rod so as to define a space therebetween for loading and dispensing the items of merchandise. The time delay mechanism includes a gear assembly configured for permitting the items of merchandise to be loaded onto the support rod at a rate that is faster than the rate at which the items of merchandise can be dispensed from the support rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: InVue Security Products Inc.
    Inventors: Justin A. Richardson, David N. Berglund, Larry K. Hooks, Gregory C. Schultz
  • Patent number: 8684228
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a mobile and self-contained sanitizing wipe dispensing system that dispenses discreet sheets of sanitizing wipes for hand or surface sanitization. The system is configured to facilitate the consistent dispensing of individual wipes, preferably from a roll of perforated but attached wipes, such that each wipe is separated at the point of perforation and the leading edge of the following sheet for easy access of each successive wipe. Means are provided to dispense wipes from a wall that is incorporated into the system, a plurality of walls forming an enclosure. The enclosure functions as a storage device for its own wipe refills and provides an integrated receptacle for used wipes. One embodiment comprises walls that are like-configured for ease in production and assembly and for reducing the cost of production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Handago, LLC
    Inventor: Kimberly A Parker
  • Patent number: 8684229
    Abstract: The present invention is preferably directed to a dispenser of the type sold by 3M ESPE under the trade name Pentamix and as also described above. Such a dispenser preferably comprises at least a first and a second compartment for a first reservoir and a second reservoir, respectively, the first and the second reservoirs containing a first and a second component for the dental material, respectively. It further preferably comprises a first and a second plunger driven by a first drive for advancing the first and the second components from the first and the second reservoirs, respectively. Moreover, a dynamic mixer driven by a second drive for automatically mixing the first and second components to form the dental material from the first and second components is provided. Such a dispenser further preferably has a dispensing portion or mixing tip for dispensing the mixed dental material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Manfred Harre, Dirk Müller-Paul, Michael Keller, Ingo W. Wagner
  • Patent number: 8684230
    Abstract: A collapsible container for dispensing viscous materials has a bottle section with exterior screw threads and a cap element with nozzle aperture and internal, mating yet greater in density screw threads so that relative turning of the bottle section with respect to the cap section causes dispensing of material and collapsing of the bottle section into the cap element. The exterior screw threads are provided with uniformly spaced surface discontinuities. The cap element is provided with a resilient, inwardly directed tab which glides over the exterior edge of the screw threads of the bottle section as the bottle section is rotated with respect to the cap element until the tab aligns with a discontinuity thereof which causes an audible or tactile click to be sensed for ensuring uniformity and ease of exact dosing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventor: Russell Jon Greenberg
  • Patent number: 8684231
    Abstract: A drink additive lid system (10) is provided for selectively introducing a drink additive (12) to a beverage container (14) closed by the lid system (10). The system (10) includes a plurality of additive compartments (20), each compartment (20) containing a drink additive (12), and a lid (22) attachable to a beverage container (14) to close a fill opening (16) of the beverage container (14). The lid (22) carries the compartments (20) and includes a drinking port (67) to allow beverage to pass from inside of the container (14) to the mouth of a user, and an actuator (24) mounted to be sequentially positioned adjacent each additive compartment (20) to allow a user to sequentially dispense the additive (12) from each additive compartment (20) into the beverage container (14) by engaging the actuator (24) with the compartment (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Thermos L.L.C.
    Inventors: Marvin Lane, Richard J. Dias
  • Patent number: 8684232
    Abstract: Colorant fluid dispensing device (1) for dispensing multiple colorant fluids, comprising more than one fluid container (2) at least one dispenser outlet (3), wherein the fluid containers are in fluid connection with the at least one dispenser outlet via pumping means (4) the pumping means comprises more than one piston pump (5), each piston pump comprises a central pump tube (15) in which a piston (20) is provided with a piston rod (21) for moving the piston inside the central pump tube, the colorant fluid dispensing device further comprises driving means (36) for moving the piston rods of said piston pumps, control means (38) for controlling the driving means, and the driving means comprises a movable selector (37) configured to engage the piston rods of a selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Full Process S.A.
    Inventor: Renatus Petrus Cornelis Meeuwisse
  • Patent number: 8684233
    Abstract: A fluid container unit including: a container coupling for coupling a supply/discharge port of a first container with a supply/discharge port of a second container; a single nozzle member having a nozzle tube; a connection cap having a first end for holding a base portion of the nozzle member and a second end for covering one side of the container coupling by fitting around an outer periphery thereof; an intermediate adaptor having a pair of pusher elements facing the first and the second supply/discharge ports, respectively; and a supply/discharge port opening mechanism for moving the intermediate adaptor toward the container coupling and opening the supply/discharge ports by the pusher elements. The pusher elements are movably held in a direction along a longitudinal axis of the nozzle tube in the connection cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignees: Saraya Co., Ltd., Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Suguru Nishio, Kojiro Kotani, Ryo Inoue, Takayoshi Iwanami, Yoshiyuki Sato
  • Patent number: 8684234
    Abstract: A method of measuring or dosing dry mixture ingredients includes providing separate flow channels for ingredients. The flow channels including at least a first flow channel and a second flow channel configured such that the first flow channel is at least partially disposed around the second flow channel. The first flow channel may include an outer concentric metering screw and the second flow channel may include an inner concentric metering screw. The method further including providing a first material to the first flow channel and a second material to a second flow channel, wherein one of the first and second materials comprises a single dry ingredient and the other of the first and second material comprises multiple dry ingredients. The materials are advanced through the channels to a shared exit where a mixing zone is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Group Brands LLC
    Inventors: Ricardo Bacellar, Cristiano Fernandes, Joao Mauricio Magalhaes Moreira, Vanessa Poletti Ferreira Olivatti, Antonio Paulo Pivesso, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8684235
    Abstract: A trigger-type liquid sprayer of the present invention is provided with a liquid sprayer body 2 having a nozzle 21 and a trigger lever 22 and a shroud 3 covering the liquid sprayer body 2 and sprays a liquid from a spray hole 211 in the nozzle 21 by a pulling operation of the trigger lever 22. The nozzle 21 is rotatable with respect to the liquid sprayer body 2 and provided so as to open/close a flow passage for the liquid according to a rotational position of the nozzle 21 when an operation lever 24 mounted on the nozzle 21 is rotationally moved, and an abutment portion 31 for positioning the nozzle 21 at a position where the flow passage is opened through abutment of the operation lever 24 is provided at the shroud 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignees: Kao Corporation, Yoshino Kogyosho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Inaba, Takeshi Omi, Tetsuya Kobayashi, Takayuki Abe, Masayuki Nakamura, Hidesato Kizaki
  • Patent number: 8684236
    Abstract: A dispensing apparatus including a product dispenser in which product is dispensed by manual movement of an activation mechanism as, for example, by moving a lever with a person's hand, arm or foot. The dispensing apparatus includes a piezoelectric electrical generator for generating electrical energy as a result of the manual movement of the activation mechanism. The piezoelectric generator is carried on an elongated cantilevered spring member which biases an activation mechanism to return to an unbiased position after deflection by a user to dispense fluid. The electrical energy from the generator may be utilized in the dispensing apparatus to power a data communication unit for receiving information about the product dispenser and transmitting the information to a receiver, preferably but not necessarily wirelessly. The relative amounts of electrical energy generated may be used to estimate the amount of fluid dispensed and the extent to which a fluid reservoir is full.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Gotohti.com Inc.
    Inventor: Heiner Ophardt
  • Patent number: 8684237
    Abstract: The dispenser dispenses premeasured quantities of a granular or powdered material when a lever on the dispenser housing is pressed inwardly. The quantity dispensed with each stroke of the lever can be adjusted easily by turning a dial on the outside of the housing. This adjusts the effective volume of a pair of telescoping tubes inside the dispenser. The dispenser is easily refilled merely by removing the top cap and pouring in the material to be dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Fox Run USA, LLC
    Inventor: Rodney W. Robbins
  • Patent number: 8684238
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing material through a refillable cartridge, comprising a container having a receptacle for receiving a refill cartridge, the container having a lid cooperating with the container to enclose the refill cartridge, the container further comprising an exit port and a channel for communicating material from the refill cartridge to the exit port, and a valve for controlling the flow of material out of the refill cartridge; and a reusable, refill cartridge sized to be received in the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: C.H.&I. Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence M. Levenstein, Robert D. Thibodeau, Eric A. Williams
  • Patent number: 8684239
    Abstract: An apparatus for pulsed dispensing of liquid. The apparatus includes a syringe body structure communicating with an input passage for pressurized actuation air, and communicating with an exit passage for allowing discharge of the liquid. An air input passage flow air controller is operative to increase the flow rate of the input air in accordance with a relationship that depends at least partially on a reduction of liquid volume in the syringe body structure resulting from a previous pulsed dispensing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Scott A. Conner, William MacIndoe, Raymond W. Tetreault
  • Patent number: 8684240
    Abstract: The invention relates to a valve unit (26) comprising a cartridge and valve holder (1), which has means (6) for connecting the same to a cartridge protective housing (3), means (7; 36, 49) for sealingly fastening the same in a hole (10) that is provided for this purpose in a liquid receptacle (11) as well as a lateral, continuous hole (20), an internal housing (4), which is mounted in the cartridge and valve holder (1), in which a tapping tip (8) and a pressure-reducing valve unit (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) are located at the end of the internal housing (4) facing the cartridge protective housing (3), wherein the pressure-reducing valve unit has a pressure-regulating chamber (13), wherein the pressure-regulating chamber (13) encompasses a connection to the interior of the liquid receptacle (11) via a continuous hole (19) in the internal housing (4) and the lateral, continuous hole (20) in the cartridge and valve holder (1), which [connection] is protected or can be blocked by a non-return valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignees: Impress GmbH & Co. OHG, Diefenbacher Kunststoff GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Peter Sauer, Werner Neukirch, Günther Grittman
  • Patent number: 8684241
    Abstract: A squeezing device capable of squeezing a viscous liquid in a packaging bag includes a pair of bag body support parts for stretching and supporting the bag bodies by fixing the front end and the rear end of a bag body and performing fixing of the rear end by applying a tension thereto rearwards; a squeezing mechanism part which is so provided as to be capable of sliding in the direction towards the front end in such a state the rear end of the bag supported by the bag body support parts is held from the upper and lower sides; and a drive mechanism part for slidingly driving the squeezing mechanism part in the direction towards the front end. The squeezing mechanism part is installed at the tip end of the device, and the drive mechanism part includes a slide bar disposed parallel to the sliding direction of the squeezing mechanism part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Wallha Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Haruo Minegishi
  • Patent number: 8684242
    Abstract: A holster with interchangeable cowling members for reconfiguring the holster pocket to accommodate pistols of varying sizes including pistols with add-on attachments including a frame member forming at least a first portion of a holster pocket, a cowling member cooperatively associated with the frame member forming a second portion of the holster pocket, at least one slide member associated with one of the frame member and cowling member, at least one groove associated with the other of the frame member and cowling member, the groove being adaptable to receive the slide member for selective longitudinal movement therealong, and a latch device having a first portion cooperating with the frame member and a second portion cooperating with the cowling member and operable to selectively prevent relative movement therebetween. The groove, slide member and latch device releasably mount the cowling member to the frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Eagle Industries Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Pomeroy, Michael E. Cole, Scott V. Evans
  • Patent number: 8684243
    Abstract: Chalk holding devices for bicycles, scooters, skateboards and other wheeled apparatuses are provided. One exemplary embodiment includes a chalk holding device for attachment to a bicycle having a wheel and an axle with a first end and a second end. The chalk holding device has a chalk-receiving member for receiving chalk therein. The chalk holding devices also has first and second arms that extend from the chalk-receiving member towards the axle. The first arm has a first axle cup for receiving a first end of the axle and the second arm has a second axle cup for receiving a second end of the axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Chalktrail.com LLC
    Inventors: Scott Baumann, Brian Wheeler, Christopher Fletcher